PODCAST · business
CXO Conversations
by Michael Mitchel
CXO Conversations joins business leaders as they share their personal journey to the top: where they started, how they got here, and any advice they may have for those of us on the way. I'm your host, Michael Mitchel. For more than twenty years, I've been a search consultant, specializing in hiring for executive positions. Through my boutique search firm, OC National Search, I work with clients ranging from startups, middle market to Global F10 companies. In 2019, I started CXO Conversations as a way to connect more deeply with my clients and community in Colorado. You'll hear from people from startups to global brands, from tech to energy, and the occasional astronaut.Join me today and kick start your leadership journey.
Episodes
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10 Min CxO Clip- Todd Siegler
In "Focus on Impact, Not Money," Todd Siegler shares candid lessons from a career spanning nearly every C-suite role—CFO, COO, CAO, CDO, General Counsel, and eventually CEO of his own company. A Princeton and Tulane Law graduate, Todd reflects on the differences in executive roles across...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Jamey Seely
In "Being a Blue Collar LGBTQ Executive," Jamey Seely, Chief Legal Officer at Gates at time of recording and now General Counsel for Crusoe, shares her journey to the C-suite and what it means to lead authentically in traditionally blue-collar industries like energy, manufacturing, and nuclear....
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10 Min CxO Clip- Michelle Anastasi
In "Pros & Cons of Long Tenure at Same Company," Michelle shares how she built an HR organization from scratch and the lessons she learned across leadership roles at ASAP Software, Dell, GiveForward, and CompPsych. A graduate of Indiana University and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management,...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Bill Wosilius
In "CEO Bill Wosilius, Why and How to Prepare for CEO Chair," Bill Wosilius, who was CEO of NexusTek at the time of recording, shares candid insights on declaring your career goals, assessing situations with clarity, and making the tough executive calls that define leadership. A graduate of the...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Steve Joanis
What does it take to get noticed by both venture capitalists and C-suite recruiters? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Steve Joanis—CEO of PlanetIQ and veteran of more than $200M in venture fundraising—shares how his career path from Army combat aviator to consultant, investor, and CEO shaped...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Steve Joanis
In "CEO Steve Joanis, Getting Noticed for C-Level & by VCs," Steve Joanis, the CEO of PlanetIQ (at time of recording, now a PE Managing Director), shares lessons from 25+ years in management consulting, venture capital, and executive leadership. A West Point graduate, decorated Army aviator, and...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Carlos Perez
What does it take to build a high-performing sales organization from scratch? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Carlos Perez, CRO of Simuwatt, shares lessons from leading revenue teams at startups, global enterprises, and everything in between. He talks about the changing nature of sales...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Carlos Perez
In "CRO Carlos Perez, Building a Sales Org from Scratch," Carlos shares how he's grown revenue organizations across startups and billion-dollar companies alike. From his early consulting days to CRO roles at Wowza and now Concept3D, Carlos reflects on the evolving role of the Chief Revenue…
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2 Min CxO Clip- Heather Callender-Potters
What does it take to know when to step aside and hire the right CEO? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Heather Callender-Potters—global investor, co-founder of PharmaJet, and experienced board member—discusses the lessons she's learned from founding companies, navigating leadership…
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10 Min CxO Clip- Heather Callender-Potters
In "Heather Callender-Potters, Founder and Board Member. Hiring a CEO and Board Member Perspectives," Heather shares lessons from a remarkable career that began in Poland just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, bringing access to capital during a time of historic transformation. Now co-founder of...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Doug Gattuso
What does it mean to lead with authenticity in the C-suite? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Doug Gattuso talks about the importance of leaving ego at the door and focusing on creating value for people and organizations. He shares lessons from building teams, returning to companies multiple...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Doug Gattuso
In "C-Suite Perspective in Leading with Authenticity," Doug Gattuso shares why true leadership is about focusing on opportunities and outcomes—not titles or ego. A veteran of the Naval Academy and Marine Corps, Doug reflects on a career spanning executive roles including President and Chief...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Casey Woo
What does it take to admit a prestigious path isn't for you—and have the courage to pivot? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Casey Woo, CFO of Landing.com, discusses his journey from West Point to Harvard, from Wall Street hedge funds to executive leadership roles at startups like WeWork and...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Casey Woo
In "Making the Hardest Call – Admitting it's Not for You," Casey Woo, former CFO forLanding.com, shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career journey—from starting at West Point and pivoting to Harvard, to walking away from Wall Street to pursue his passion for building and leading…
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2 Min CxO Clip- John Oechsle
What does it take to plan a career all the way to the CEO chair? In this episode of CXO Conversations, John Oechsle discusses the strategic decisions that helped him rise from technology leadership at J&J and IHS to CEO of Derive Systems. He reflects on how international assignments shaped his...
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10 Min CxO Clip- John Oechsle
In "Career Planning and Strategic Decisions to Become CEO," John Oechsle, was CEO of Derive Systems and now Bolt On Technology, shares how purposeful choices shaped his path from CIO roles at Johnson & Johnson and IHS to leading multiple organizations, including Swiftpage and now Derive. John...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings
What does it take to transition from the battlefield to the boardroom? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Craig Cummings—Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Moonshots Capital—discusses the lessons he's carried from 17 years of military service into the world of startups and...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Craig Cummings
In "Building Your Career Transition Elevator Pitch," Craig Cummings shares how his journey from Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan to General Partner at Moonshots Capital shaped his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and investing. A Bronze Star recipient and West Point graduate with…
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2 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger
What can hundreds of transactions and decades of leadership teach us about CEOs? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Chris Younger, CEO of Class VI Partners, reflects on buying, selling, and leading companies across industries. He shares candid insights on managing the stress of leadership, why...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Chris Younger
In "CEO Insights & Self Care with Chris Younger," Chris shares lessons from a career spanning telecom, private equity, and advisory leadership. As President of Expanets, he acquired 27 companies in just 3 years before selling to Avaya, and today, as CEO of Class VI Partners, he advises...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon
What does it mean to be truly intellectually curious as a leader? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Christine Gagnon, CFO of African Asset Finance Company at time of interview, discusses the value of continuous learning and the global perspective she's gained from international assignments…
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10 Min CxO Clip- Christine Gagnon
In "Christine Gagnon CFO, the Importance of Being Intellectually Curious," Christine shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped her global career. During recording, she was the CFO of African Asset Finance Company, she reflects on her journey through leadership roles at EY, PwC, and...
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21 Min CxO- Gen. Kevin "Chili" Chilton
In "General Kevin 'Chili' Chilton, Board Member, Astronaut and Flying the Space Shuttle," General Kevin "Chili" Chilton shares lessons from his extraordinary 34½ years in the U.S. Air Force and his successful transition into corporate leadership. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Chili…
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2 Min CxO Clip- David Cox
What does it take to transform one of the world's most respected publications without losing its identity? In this episode of CXO Conversations, David Cox discusses his 14 years at The Economist, including his role as CFO and COO, where he spearheaded the company's global shift from print to...
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10 Min CxO Clip- David Cox
In "Leading an Iconic Brand Through a Global Transformation," David Cox, former CFO of The Economist, shares how he helped guide the publication through its bold shift from weekly print to a digital-first and live events model. On this episode of CXO Conversations, David reflects on early digital...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha
What does it take to go from West Point to the corner office? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, opens up about his path from Army officer to five-time SaaS CEO and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Jack Blaha
In "West Point to CEO," Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, shares his remarkable journey from Army veteran to seasoned executive leading multiple SaaS companies. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack reflects on how military-honed adaptability and leadership shaped his transition into the corporate...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman
What does it take to go from making cold calls to leading a hyperscale data center company powering the cloud? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, shares her journey through pivotal roles across tech, the lessons she carried into the C-suite, and why broad business...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Laura Ortman
In "Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman's Journey to CEO at COLOGIX," Laura shares how her career path—spanning Lockheed Martin, Jeppesen, VMware, and Hologic—prepared her to lead North America's leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. On this episode of CXO...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Sean Odendahl
From Army paratrooper to Chief Transformation Officer, Sean Odendahl's career path is a masterclass in adaptability and leadership. In this episode of CXO Conversations, discover his lessons on mergers, building high-performing teams, and creating a culture of trust and feedback. For the full...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Sean Odendahl
Mentorship and direct feedback can make or break a career. Sean Odendahl, Chief Transformation Officer, joins CXO Conversations to discuss how candid conversations, military discipline, and legal expertise shaped his leadership style. A must-listen for executives and future leaders. For the full...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Rand Lewis
What makes a successful executive worth following? In this CXO Conversations episode, Rand Lewis—accomplished investor, co-founder of Delta-v Capital, and former McKinsey consultant—shares lessons from hiring and backing leaders across some of tech's most recognized companies, including Zayo,...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Rand Lewis
With over 24 years of experience in venture capital and private equity, Rand Lewis has seen what separates good leaders from great ones. In this episode of CXO Conversations, the Managing Partner and co-founder of Delta-v Capital—whose investments include Zayo, Cloud Sherpa, LogRhythm, Iterable,...
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2 Min CxO Clip- Brad Feld
From co-founding Techstars to authoring several books on startup leadership, Brad Feld has spent decades shaping the future of entrepreneurship. In this episode of CXO Conversations, Brad talks about the evolving role of boards, why supporting the CEO is a board's most critical responsibility…
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10 Min CxO Clip- Brad Feld
What does it really take to build an effective board and foster a thriving startup community? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Brad Feld—venture capitalist at Foundry Group, Techstars co-founder, and co-author of the released second edition of Startup Boards—shares lessons from serving on…
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2 Min CxO Clip- Stephen Brown
From Director to President overnight—Stephen Brown's career pivot is the stuff of bold leadership moves. In this CXO Conversations episode, Stephen tells the story of how one transition memo at Travelers Insurance turned into running an entire division in California. He opens up about the...
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10 Min CxO Clip- Stephen Brown
What happens when you propose leading a transition project—and instead get promoted to President overnight? In this episode of CXO Conversations titled "Creating the President Role for Yourself at 32 Years Old," Stephen Brown shares how a bold memo at Travelers Insurance changed his career…
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CXO Conversations: The Vault is Opening
Big news from CXO Conversations. After 70+ in-depth interviews with executives across the C-suite landscape, we're unlocking the best moments. Starting soon, you'll get 10-minute clips—actionable insights on leadership, hiring, growth, and navigating the C-suite. These clips will give you a...
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Medical Reasons for Having Executive Presence with Laura Hamiriani
In this episode, host Michael Mitchel interviews Laura Hamirani, a speech language pathologist specializing in therapy for voice disorders. They discuss vocal executive presence and preventing vocal strain in the new Zoom culture. Laura emphasizes the importance of vocal warm-ups, breathing...
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The Evolution of Executive Presence: Authenticity and Connection w/ Anna Conrad
In this episode of CXO Conversations, Michael Mitchel interviews Anna Conrad, CEO of Impact Leadership Solutions, about executive coaching and the changing landscape of executive presence. They discuss the importance of reflection, self- awareness, and personal growth in executive coaching. They...
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The Value of an Internal Sherpa in Career Growth
In this episode of CXO Conversations, Michael interviews Mike Murphy, Managing Partner of Sunstone Management Advisors, about the skills he gained during his career growth in the insurance industry and the advice he received throughout his career. They discuss the importance of building a diverse...
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How Your Personal Brand Will Grow Your Career
Abbas Udawala is the CFO of Hexagon Digital Wave who is a seasoned financial veteran with a track record of turning companies around. He joins us today to share his insights on leadership and building a strong personal brand. With a resume that includes nine transactions and executive roles in...
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CRO Andre Cuenin on Three Core Values to Success
Veracode's CRO Andre Cuenin joins CXO Conversations and shares his journey from sales to the C suite. He doesn't like the title Chief Revenue Officer as it puts the focus on him versus the customer. Andre moved from presales to sales by having a post presentation conversation with a customer; he...
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Hootsuite CFO Dave Wynne on Building a Successful Career
In this episode, Dave Wynne, CFO of Hootsuite, discusses his career journey, from starting as a consultant to becoming a leading financial executive. He shares how his foundational consulting experience applies across different industries and shaped him into the leader he is today. Dave dives…
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Season 7 Preview: Inspiring Insights from CXO Conversations
Join Michael Mitchel for a sneak peek into the upcoming season of CXO Conversations. We've lined up a stellar lineup of guests who share their invaluable perspectives and experiences on leadership, innovation, and success. From Dave Wynne, CFO of Hootsuite, discussing the power of internal...
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CXO Conversations Season Finale + AI Tips
As CXO Conversations wraps up another season, host Michael Mitchel reflects on the increasing role of AI in our daily lives. From streamlining tasks to enhancing productivity, Michael shares practical examples of how AI is making an impact, both personally and professionally. Join us for a brief...
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C Suite Skills for all Industries with John Vranas
In this special edition of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel revisits an engaging dialogue with John Vranas, who at the time was the Chief Development Officer for the Humane Society of America. This episode covers a breadth of topics that all can benefit from; from program creation to donor…
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Transforming a Company: From Warehouses to Tech with Food Maven's CEO Ben Deda
Join host Michael Mitchel as he welcomes back Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, for a revealing look at the company's four-year journey. Explore key milestones, strategic shifts, and insights into navigating challenges in the food industry. Gain valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and...
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Food for Thought: Revisiting Food Maven's Impact with CEO Ben Deda
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel revisits an insightful interview with Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, and co-founder of Denver Startup Week. This conversation dives deep into Food Maven's mission to combat food waste by revolutionizing the distribution model, prioritizing...
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Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman's Journey to CEO at COLOGIX
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel engages with Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, to explore her dynamic journey from the athletic fields through various pivotal roles in the tech industry to her current position at the helm of a leading network-neutral interconnection and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
CXO Conversations joins business leaders as they share their personal journey to the top: where they started, how they got here, and any advice they may have for those of us on the way. I'm your host, Michael Mitchel. For more than twenty years, I've been a search consultant, specializing in hiring for executive positions. Through my boutique search firm, OC National Search, I work with clients ranging from startups, middle market to Global F10 companies. In 2019, I started CXO Conversations as a way to connect more deeply with my clients and community in Colorado. You'll hear from people from startups to global brands, from tech to energy, and the occasional astronaut.Join me today and kick start your leadership journey.
HOSTED BY
Michael Mitchel
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does CXO Conversations have?
CXO Conversations currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is CXO Conversations about?
CXO Conversations joins business leaders as they share their personal journey to the top: where they started, how they got here, and any advice they may have for those of us on the way. I'm your host, Michael Mitchel. For more than twenty years, I've been a search consultant, specializing in hiring...
How often does CXO Conversations release new episodes?
CXO Conversations has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to CXO Conversations?
You can listen to CXO Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts CXO Conversations?
CXO Conversations is created and hosted by Michael Mitchel.
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